EVENTS unfolding in Port of Spain four years ago culminated in euphoria on one side of the Bengal border, and gloom on the other.
With every dance down the wicket from Tamim Iqbal, little-fancied Bangladesh landed another blow in a series of blows that would eventually eliminate India, wearied by the weight of expectation and a discordant dressing room, from the first round of the World Cup. Four years later the teams meet again, but in a tournament protected from the domino effect of a shock like the one in Trinidad. The stakes this time are different as well, for it is not just India, overwhelming favourites again, who carry a tremendous weight of expectation.
As Shakib Al Hasan entered the opening ceremony in a decorated cycle rickshaw, soaking in the goodwill from tens of thousands inside the Bangabandhu Stadium and the crowds surrounding it, his demeanour revealed pride and a sense of the grandeur of the occasion, and none of the reluctance he’s had in captaining Bangladesh in series past.
There would also have been a feeling of responsibility, of a magnitude no Bangladesh captain has ever faced before.
For the first time, Bangladesh are expected to go beyond the first round of a World Cup. For the first time, and largely because of a significant home advantage, their passage will not be considered an upset.
For the first time, they are hosting a World Cup and can see all around them a stirring passion saturating the country. Bangladesh too will be relieved that the format allows a little room for error, while striving to avoid it against one of the tournament heavyweights.
Justifiably or not, India have begun several World Cups wearing the favourites tag, but never has that label been more authentic than now.
Their bowling attack might blow hot and cold, but even on their most frigid days India possess a batting line-up capable of overhauling anything.
And they play all their matches on the familiar pitches of home, apart from the opener against Bangladesh, which is at the Shere Bangla Stadium in Mirpur.

PITCH and CONDITIONS
The pitch used for the practice game between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Mirpur had turn for the spinners. Not much is known about the surface for today but it is expected to aid the slow bowlers. Dew has traditionally had an impact on day-night fixtures in Dhaka but it is supposedly not as big a concern in February.
However, this is what Waqar Younis, Pakistan’s coach, said after the warm-up game: “There was a little bit (of dew), maybe in the last 15 overs. It can be trouble later on in the tournament, so good luck to whoever is playing here.”

TEAM  NEWS
There was a fitness concern over Shafiul Islam, who bowled only five overs in the warm-up against Pakistan, but he is expected to be fit.
Raqibul Hasan could make the XI ahead of Mohammad Ashraful and Bangladesh could also play two spinning all-rounders in Mahmudullah and Naeem Islam.
Bangladesh (probable): 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Imrul Kayes, 3. Junaid Siddique, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wkp.), 5. Raqibul Hasan 6. Shakib Al Hasan (capt.), 7. Mahmudullah, 8. Naeem Islam 9. Abdur Razzak, 10. Shafiul Islam, 11. Rubel Hossain.
After sitting out of both of India’s warm-up matches with a groin niggle, Zaheer Khan bowled during India’s net session and will lead the attack today. The major decision India will have to make is whether to play Kohli or Raina.
Kohli has been in excellent form, but an extra left-hander, Raina, could be useful in combating Bangladesh’s left-arm spinners. Dhoni, however, had indicated a few days ago that Kohli could edge Raina out.
India (probable): 1. Virender Sehwag, 2. Sachin Tendulkar, 3. Gautam Gambhir, 4. Virat Kohli/Suresh Raina, 5. Yuvraj Singh, 6. MS Dhoni (capt. & wkp.), 7. Yusuf Pathan, 8. Harbhajan Singh, 9. Zaheer Khan, 10. Ashish Nehra, 11. Munaf Patel.
Bangladesh (probable): 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Imrul Kayes, 3. Junaid Siddique, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wkp.), 5. Raqibul Hasan 6. Shakib Al Hasan (capt.), 7. Mahmudullah, 8. Naeem Islam 9. Abdur Razzak, 10. Shafiul Islam, 11. Rubel Hossain.